Page 102 of My Three Hometown Alphas

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Avery

Everyone needs tomove.I might hate running on a normal day, but that’s all I want to do right now. I want to sprint as fast as my heeled feet will carry me.

Finally, the crowd parts enough for them to come back into view. They’re standing near the side of the bleachers. Owen is holding Lyla up, while her head bobs from side to side, looking for me.

I wiggle my way through everyone until there’s nothing but open space between us. I take off. I might be in heels, but I fly.

Miles is standing the closest, so I make a beeline for him. He holds his arms out at his sides as I launch myself into him.

He lets out a grunt as my body collides with his. His arms wind around my back as he swings me around in a circle.

“You did it,” he says with a huge smile on his face.

“Yeah,” I get out as he sets me back on my feet. I’m glad he doesn’t let me go, though. I’m nowhere near ready for his arms to be anywhere other than wrapped around me.

He leans down and kisses me. I kiss him back for a second before pulling back. I realize there is a set of little eyes locked on us right now.

“Lyla,” I whisper into the breath of space between us.

“She knows.” He shakes his head. “I’m pretty sure she’s always known.”

I huff out a little laugh, turning to look at her out of the corner of my eye. She’s standing between her other two uncles, smiling as she hops from one foot to the other.

I turn my eyes back to Miles. “I guess you should kiss me, then.”

“I guess I should.” He tightens his hold on my back and brings his lips down to mine. His head is tilted to the side, avoiding my cap. He pulls away, kissing the corner of my mouth. “I think Lyla’s going to throw a fit if she doesn't get to say hi soon.”

I laugh, stepping away from him. I crouch down, holding out my arms as I look at Lyla. She gives me the cutest fucking grin ever before running into my arms.

A piece of my heart settles for the first time in days, having her here in my arms again.

“You look really pretty,” she says, running her fingers through my curled hair.

“So do you,” I say. She looks adorable in her yellow sundress.

Her small finger taps the edge of my cap. “This hat is funny,” she says, giggling, “but it’s cool, too.”

“Do you want to wear it?”

Her eyes light up. “Yes!”

I do my best to take it off without fucking up my hair too much. It’s a little big on her head, but I get it to fit over her brown curls.

“Perfect.” I lean in, pressing a kiss against her cheek.

Seeing her with the cap on makes me realize how badly I want to be there for her when she graduates years from now. I want to be on the sidelines cheering her on every day, for the big milestones and the small ones, too.

I just want the honor of being a part of her life and seeing her grow into the wonderful young lady I know she’s going to become.

I stand up, trying to blink back my tears. I try to smooth my hair down, hoping it doesn’t look too crazy.

“You look beautiful,” Owen says. My eyes connect with his, and all the air leaves my lungs on a heavy exhale.

His hands slide into my hair and his mouth descends on mine in the next breath. My fingers grip the sides of his dress shirt. He kisses me like it’s the first time he’s been able to breathe in far too long.

Our foreheads meet when we pull back for air. “I missed you,” I whisper.